Back to MenOfIntegrity.net a service of Christianity Today International
Today's Christian

 

Main  |  Archives  |  Contact Us
Site Search

Connect with God

Transform my Mind

Live by His Power

Relate Better

Make an Impact



Take this poll

HOLIDAYS & EVENTS
Advent
Christmas
Related Channels
Marriage
Parenting
Singles
Movies
Music
Today's Christian
Bible & Reference
Faith in the Workplace





Home > Men > Sacrifice or Safety? > Big Ideas that Grab You


Big Ideas that Grab You
Theme of the Week: Sacrifice or Safety?
Saturday, February 21, 2004



ADVERTISEMENT
Men of Integrity January/February 2004 Big Ideas that Grab You Theme of the Week: Sacrifice or Safety? Saturday, February 21 7 1 Q. While some lessons are learned in a flash, you say, others seep in over many years. How has that worked for you? A. One idea has recently been sinking in for me and grabbing at the core of my being. It's this: The Christian life is a broad road of happiness, joy, peace, blessing, success, significance, and contentment, which is ironically gained by choosing the narrow road of surrender, obedience, self-denial, self-sacrifice, truth, worship, and service. The world would say, "Want to be happy? Seek a better job. Live in this neighborhood. Take this vacation. Drive this car. Send your children to this school. Join this club." God says, "Want to be happy? Surrender your life to Me. Obey Me. Live by faith. Give yourself away in service. Deny yourself." Jesus does reward, but as 20th-century writer Bruce Barton observed, Jesus used the higher style of leadership that brings forth a man's greatest effort not by the picture of great rewards but by the promise of obstacles. Ironically, when we bring ourselves under Jesus' authority, allow him to be Lord (which He is regardless), and walk in His way of obedience, service, and self-denial–things that sound like giving up happiness–he rewards us with every spiritual blessing. Recently I wrote down these words in my journal: "God, it is in Your plan, purpose, and will that I find these pleasant things. Your will is agreeable with me. Ours is not a contest to get around, manipulate, or overcome Your will, but to enter in. It is not a roadblock, but a gate." Patrick Morley is the author of Ten Secrets for the Man in the Mirror. Adapted from Ten Secrets for the Man in the Mirror (Zondervan, 2000) by permission. Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.


0Prayer for the Week

Lord Jesus, You've called me to shoulder my cross and follow You. Give me the guts to do it.



Men of Integrity
Connect with God  |  Transform my Mind  |  Live by His Power
Relate Better  |  Make an Impact
Home  |  Archives  |  Contact Us


Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
Subscribe to Men of Integrity
Name
Street Address
City/State/Zip
E-mail Address

No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.

If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.

Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter
Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter
   RSS Feed   RSS Help








SUBSCRIBE!

5 minutes is all it takes …

Subscribe to Men of Integrity









Free Newsletter
Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter:






ChristianityToday.com
Home CT Mag Church/Ministry Bible/Life Communities Entertainment Schools/Jobs Shopping Free! Help
Books & Culture
Christianity Today
ChristianityTodayLibrary.com
Church Finance Today
Christian History Back Issues
Church Law & Tax Report
Church Secretary Today
Ignite Your Faith
Leadership Journal
Men of Integrity
Today's Christian
Today's Christian Woman
Your Church
BuildingChurchLeaders.com
ChristianBibleStudies.com
Christian College Guide
Christian History
Christian Music Today
Christianity Today Movies
Church Products & Services
Church Safety
ChurchSiteCreator.com
PreachingToday.com
PreachingTodaySermons.com
Seminary/Grad School Guide
Christianity Today International
www.ChristianityToday.com
Copyright © 2008 Christianity Today International
Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Advertise with Us | Job Openings